Eluid-meter



W. J. WOHLENBERG FLUID METEFL APPLIC'ATION FILE-D 0CT,?2.1917.

LBOSAZ& I'm-uma Muy 1:3, sns,

2 SHEETS SHEEF UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 4

WALTER JACOB WOHLENBEEG, OF IBOZEMAN, MON'I'ANA..

FLUD-METER.

To all whom it may camera:

Be it known that I, WALTER JAooB 'WoH LENBERG, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bozemaminthe county of GaL latin and State of Montana, have invented 'a new and Improved Fluid-Meter, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. i

My invention relates to any meters for indicating, registeringor recording the densities, pressures and' temperatures of any fluids and for indicating, registering or recording the quantities of fluid flow and in such it is a special form. of the application of the device claimed in my last application for fluid meters, Serial Number 198,895. The same nomenclature is used in this application as in the above mentioned application to denote parts performing simllar functions.

An object of my invention is to have the means of so Varying the inclination of the density chamber that the levels of .the sealing liquid surfaces in the density cell and density cylinder will be maintained the-same, therebv causing the exact external fluid pressure to be exerted by the sealinglquid on' the density fluid.

A second object of my invention is to have the means of automatically' sovarying the inclination of the density chamber that the levels of the scaling liquid' surfaces in the density cell and density cylinder will be maintained the same, thereby causingthe exact external fluid pressure to be exerted by the scaling liquid on the density fluid.

A third ob ect of my invention is to have the varying of the inclinaton of the density chamber, caused by the' density Variationof the external fluid, be the means of indi-v\ cating the variation of density, pressure and temperature of said external fluid.

A fourth object of my invention is to have the said variation of inclination of the density chamber be used as a means of correcting the rate of 'egistering the fluid .flow in a conduit to the rate of weight flow of the said fluid.

I accomplish these and other objects of my invcntion by; the structures conventionall y disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in all views shown.

-Figure l is a sectionalview of the arrangenent disclosing the principal features of the invention. i

Specifcation of Letters Patent.

Patented May 13, 1919.

Application filed October 22, 1917( Serial No. 197397.

F'ig. 2 is 'a View of the arrangement shownin Fig. 1, looking in the direction of arrows from the line A-A.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal view of the ar rangement wherein the expanson of the sealing liquid is compensatedfor by the addition of the compensating cylinder or tube.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of thearrangement shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a View of the same arrangement, now looking in the direction of arrows from the line C-CJ v Fig. 6 shows an`arrangement wheren the zero positions and the magnitude pointers and scalecleflections can be adjusted independently' of .the quantities of fluid within the' density cell and independently of the quantity. of scaling liquid contained in it.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the density chamber is represented by the tubular ringl, supported by means of arms 8 on the axis 9, which is :tree to rotate in the bearings of supports 12 and 15. This tubular ring is of uniform section, having however,

a small section cut out at 2 so that its one end is open to the surrounding fluid. In order to retain the balance of the ring about V its center, a small shoulder as (a) may be the geometric center or axis will remain in any angular position in whch t may happen i to stop. y

In the space 3 adj acent the closed end (b) is contained the density fluid which in gen- -eral may be any elastic fluid. In the special cases in which the mechanism is to respond accurately to the variations of density of the surrounding fluid, this density fluid will be of the same kind as the surrounding fluid. This fluid is sealed in by means of the sealina liquid 4 which fills the bottom part of the ring from the level 5 on the one side to the same level 6 on the other side. The space'3 thus really forms the density cell as described in the above mentioned appli-' quently, the center of gravity of the column of scaling liquid would be an amount A hfrom the point p to a point p'. In other words, the center of gravity of the whole tube system would be raised so that a turning moment w would exist about the axis of shaft 9. But the ring is free to turn about this axis, whence it will turn to that position in which p' comes directly below 9, Where the turning moment Vanishes and the sealing liquid surfaces will again be at the level. In this' position, the pressure exsting in the density cell will be exactly egual to that existing in the surrounding medum.

T he activity is more exactly describedas follows: As the surrounding press-ure 1ncreases there will be an excess on the surface 6 over that existing on the surface 5, due to the density fluid and there will be an excess on the outside of surface b over that existing on the inside of this surface due to the density fluid pressure. The ex cess external pressure will thus tend to force the surface b down and the surface 5 up until the pressure in 3 equals the external pressure minus the head due to the difference in level of surfaces 5 and 6. If now, for an instance, the level 5 is forced above the level 6, then certainly the pressure on the top of surface I will still be greater than that on its bottom surface and consequently, as the inertia of the ring is overcome, this excess of pressure will force this surface down and the level of surface 5 will sink, and when equilibrium is 'established, the surface 5 "will be at the same level as 6, and the pressure within space 3 will equal that on the outside. If now the external pressure decreases, then obviously the excess 'of pressure in the lower side of b will tend to force this surface away from the level 5 and the level 6 above the level 5. Again, when equilibrium is establ-ished, the levels of 5 and 6 will be the same andthe pressure within space 3 will equal th external pressure. v

The angular displacement of the ring can be adapted to indicate the variation of density of the surrounding fluid by means of a poin ter 10 fixed to the axis 9, and sweeping across a dial 11, fixed by means of arms 13 and 14, as shown. This dial may be graduated in terms of the density of the surrounding fluid. F'or saturated vapors there is a definite density and temperature for each pressure. For these it may thus be likewise graduated to read directly their pres-- sures and temperatures.

`If now the sea-ling liquid has a considerable Volume variation with temperature, then for two different temperatures there will be a consilerble difference in the length of the column of scaling liquid. This of itself, would operate, .even for the same density Cell wlume, to cause the ring to undergo an angular deflection. If now the scale 11 could be so arranged as to undcrgo from such causes exactly the Same angular deflection as the ring 1, then obviously, the relative position between pointer 10 and the scale will be unaffected by these Volume variations of the scaling liquid and the deflection of the pointer with respect to the scale will be wholly cau-sed by Volume variations of the density fluid. This is acconplished by the mechanisn disclosed in F igs. 3, e and 5.

In this arrangement, the ring 1 with pointer 10 is deflected angularly just as before described. The scale 11 however, is now replaced by scale 26, which is f astened by means of arms 25 to the conpensating ring 20. This ring is constructed and mounted exactly similarly to the ring l. The dial 26 may extend about the whole circumference, or may, as shown, extend only partially around and leave its weight bal anced by a weight attached diametrically opposite it. The space 3' now has a definite wall or partition 6' at its lower level, or the closed end b' of the ring may be revolved into the position 6' Between this Wall or the partition 6' and the adjacent compensating liquid surface, there exists a vacuum so that the excess external fluid pressure on the wall or partition will tend to force the ring around until the parti tion or wall is in contact with the said surface `of the liquid column. This partition is so located that at a definite temperature the columns of scaling liquid -in both the density and conpensating rings have the same length and are at the same levels. These rings will in general be of the same diameter, although this is not necessary, it being only necessary that they be circularly concentrically symmetrical, and that the dial 26 has the same diameter as that of the circle described by the pointer 10. In other words, it is only necessary that at a given temperature, the angle subtended by the scaling and -compensating liquid column arcs are equal. Then for a giveu Variation of temperature, each are will lengthen by the same number of degrees, and consequently, the tubular rings will be turned through the same number of degrees in bringing the centers of gravities of the two columns directly below the axes of supports 9 and 18. In this position the sui-faces 5 and 5' of the columns will be respectively at the same levels as the surfaces 6 and 6' at thc other extremities.

Furthermore, the compensating ring is so set as to have the wall (3' on the same side of the axes 9 and 18 as is the surface G of the scaling liquid in the density ring. Suppose now that there is a variation in the length of the columns 4 and 4' of the scaling and compensating liquids` It is ob- (tii vious that the ring l as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 will be deflected in the clockwise direction in bringi the surfaces 5 and 6 to the same level. Smlarly, the ring 20 Will be turned about its axis 18 in the clockwise direction. If now the liquidcolumn arcs are circularly concentrically symmetrical, as above described, then obviously the rings will be deflected by equal angular amounts in the same direction by the Variations of length of said columns from temperature varations. The scale 26 supported by arms 25 to the ring 20 will thusmove exactly with the pointer 10 in deflections caused by Volume variations of the scaling and compen satng lquids and the relative deflection Will be an indication of the variation of Volume only of the density fluid. i

The deflection of the compensatingr ring s obviously an indication of the temperature variation of the, surrounding medium. It may thus, by means of pointer 26 fixed to the compensatng ring,' be adapted to indicate the temperature on a stationary dial 24 fixed by means of arm 23. i r

The dial 26 may be graduated to indicate both pressure and density as shown in Fig. 5, and the-dial 24 to indicate the temperature. In this arrangement lines 39 are constant temperature lines and lines 38 constant pressure lines. Graduations 40 are for density indications and graduations 41 for temperature indications. The density is read directly from the graduation 40 opposite the pointer 10, and the temperature is read directly from the graduation opposite the pointer 27. v To read the 'pressure follow the line 39 marked with the-same temperature as that indicated by. pointer 27 to its intersection with the projection of the pointer 10 on the dial. The constant pres sure line 38 passing through this point of intersection indicates the pressure ot' the surrounding fluid at the instant of consideration.

To apply'this mechanisn in fluid meters measuring the quantity of fluid flow it is merely necessary to attach to the axes 9 and 18 disks as 16 and 21 with pins 17 and 22 from which the angulardeflection may be transmitted by connecting rods as 33 and 28 to levers 30 and 35 through pins 34 and 29. The lever 30 has a fulcrum at 31 so that its other end transmits motion to the floating "lever 35 through pin 32 in the opposed direc- In the special arrangen'ent disclosed in Fig. 6 therdefieotions of ring 1 are transmitted through axis 9 and the lever 10' to the rod 58 and the deflections of ring 20 through the arm 42 to the rod 45. These rods transmit the respective defiections to the pointer 60 and the arm 49 carrying the dial 26'. The weight W' and W" are for the purposes merely of wholly or partially balancing the parts at the other end of the arms to Whch they are attached.

The magntudes of the deflections of the dial 26' with respect to the deflections of ring 20 may be adjusted by means of changing the position of the connection of arms 47 on the arm 49 o'r by changing the position of the connection at 44 on arm `42. The zero position of this dial may be adjusted by means of the turnbuckle 46 which is adapted to change the length between 'the connections 48 and 44.

Similarly the magnitudes of deflection of v the pointer 60. may be adjusted 'by varying the connection positions 59 or 53 to other points as61 or 55, and the zero position of the pointer may be adjusted by means of turn-buckle 57. This arrangement thus gives a means of adjusting the magnitudes of the deflections independently of the quantity of fluid contained within the density cell.

For the application as a gage measuring pressures and temperatures, it is obvious that the fluid contained within the density cell need not necessarily be of the same kind as the surrounding fluid' for a scale graduated as illustrated in Fig. 5 afl'ords the means of deternining the pressure and temperature relations for a given density fluid for any surrounding fluid medium whatsoever. For instance, having read the temperature from the indicator on dial 24 of pointer 27, then corresponding to this temperature there can be on-ly one pressure for each position of the po-inter 10 With respect to the dial 26 irre-` spectively of what external fluid pressure is maintaining the pointer in such a position. For such an application of the meter however, the position of the pointer 10 with rej spect to the graduations 40 will not in general be an accurate indication of the density of the surrounding fluid medium. It will be an indication of the density ot the fluid within the density cell, and when the temperature is known from the indication on dial 24 then obviously the pressure at which this density fluid must be existing is accurately indicated by the pointer 10 with respect to the constant pressure lines 38. But-*this pressure is equal to the external fluid ressure.

For the mere purpose ot ndicating pressures, tenperatures and densi-ties, it is now not necessary that the variation ot angular position ot' the rings 1 and 20 be automatic. For instance, if it is found desirable for the sake ot cheapness, or forother reasons, to

, liquid, then these'rings might be turned by in a fluid whose properties are to be meas-' hand to the position in which the surfaces 5 and 5'- will be respectively at the same levels as the surfaces 6 and 6'.

In this new oston the pointers will accurately indicate the pressures, temperatures, and in special cases,

also the densities of the surrounding fluid. To gagethe levels of the aforementioned surfaces, a horizontal string or edge s-s may be adapted to "be-brought inithe proximity of these surfaces and then the rings turned b hand until -they are at the same levels. F br such an arrangement it would of course be necessary to have the rings made of a transparent material.

It is further obvious, that many changes, other than those shown, may be made in the 'arrangement and Construction of this apparatus without departing froni the spirit and scope of the invention, and therefore, I do not wish to limit my invention to the exact arrangements or constructions shown.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desre to secure by Letters Patent;-`-

1. In meters, a casing adapted to be placed in a fluid whose properties are to be measured, said casing being Suspended from an axis about which it is rotatable, said casing inclosing within it the density chamber closed at one, end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid, said casing inclosing a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravity level, said casing containing'a scaling fluid and also containing a density fluid in the space adj acent the closed end, said density fluid bein confined to this space by the scaling liqui as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In meters, a casing adapted to be placed ured, said casing being Suspended from an axis about which it is rotatable, said casing inclosing within it the density chamber closed at one end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid, said casing inclosing a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravity level, said casing containing a scaling fluid and also containing adensity fluid in the space adjacent the closed end, said density fluid being confined to this space by the scaling liquid, said sealing liquid having a 'greater density than the surrounding and density fluids, as and for the purpose set forth. i

3. In meters, a casing adapted to be placed in a fluid whose properties are to be measured, said casin being Suspended from an axis about which t is rotatable, said aXis of suspension containing the center of gravity of the casing, said casing inclosing within it the density chamber closed at one end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid, said` casing inclosing a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravity level, said casing containing a sealin fluid and also containing a density fluid n the space adjacent the closed end, said density fluid being confined to this space by the sealing liquid, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In meters, a casing adapted to be placed in -a fluid whose properties are to be measured, said casing being Suspended from an axis about which it is rotatable, said axis of suspension containing the center of gravity of the casing, said casing being geometrically symnetrical with respect to the axis of suspension, said casin inclosing within it the density chamber c osed at one end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid, said casing inclosing a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravity level, said casing containing a seali fluid and also containing a density fluid n the space adjacent the closed end, said density fluid being confined to this space by the scaling liquid, said scaling liquid having a greater density than the surrounding and density fluids as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In meters, a casing adapted to be placed in a fluid whose properties are to be measured, said casing being Suspended from an aXis through its center of gravity about which it is rotatable, said casin being in the form of a tubular ring, said tu ular ring inclosing within it the density chamber closed at one end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid, said casing inclosing a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest ing fluid and also containing a density fluid in the space adjacent the closed end, said density fluid being confined to this space by the scaling liquid, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In meters, a casing adapted to be placed in a fluid whose properties are to be measured, said casing being Suspended from a horizontal axis through its center of gravity about which it is rotatable, said casing being in the form of a tubular ring, said tubular ring being Suspended by the horizontal axis in a vertical plane, said tubular ring inclosing within it th density chamber closed at one end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid, said casing inclosing a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravity level, said casing containin a sealing fluid and also containing a density fluid in the space adjacent the closed end, said density fluid being confined to this space by the sealing liquid, as and for the purpose set 'orth.

till

illi said casing nclosing a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravity level, said casing containing a liquid in the space adjacent the closed end, said liquid column varying in length with its temperature and filling the space bounded by 'the part of the casing extending from its closed nd to a surface of said liquid column free to move relative to'the casing when the vol-' ing an intermediate portion at the lowest' gravity level, said casing containing a heavy liquid in the space adjacent the closed end, said liquid column varying in length with its temperature and filling the space bounded b the part of the casing extending from its c osed end to a surface of said liquid column free to move relativeto the casing when the Volume of said liquid column vares, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In meters, a casing adapted to be placed in a fluid whose properties are to be measured, said casing being Suspended from an axis through its center of gravity about which it is rotatable, said casing being geometrically symmetrical about said axis, sad casing nclosng wthn 1t a chamber closed I at one end, said casing nclosng a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravity level, said casing containing a heavy liquid in the space adjacent the ,closed end, said liquid column filling the space -bounded by the part of the casing extending from its closed end to a surface of said liqud column free to move relative to the casing when the volume of said liquid column vares, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In meters, a casing adapted to be placed in a fluid whose properties are to be measured, said casing being Suspended from an axis. through its center-of gravity about which it is rotatable, said casing being in the form of a tubular ring, said casing inclosing within it a chamber closed at one end, said casing inclosing a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravty level,said casing containing a heavy liquid in the space adjacent the closed end, sad liquid column filling the space bounded by the part of the casing extending from its closed end to a surface of said liquid column free to move relative to the casing when the Volume of said liquid column varies, as and for the purpose set forth;

11,-lln meters, a casing adapted to 'be placedin a fluid whose ropertiesare to be measured, said casing-being Suspended from I said liquid column varies, as and for the a horizontal axis through its center of gravity about which it is rota-table, said casing being in the form of a tubular ring, said tubular rngbeing Suspended by the horizontal axis in a vertical plane, said casing inclosing within it a chamber, closed at one end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid,sai d casing inclosing a space having an intermediate portion atthe lowest gravity level, said casing containing a liquid in the space adjacent the closed end, said liquid column filling the space bounded by the part of the casing extending from 'its closed end to a surface of said liquid column free to move relative to the casing when the Volume of said liquid column varies, as and for the purpose set forth.

12; In meters, the combirration of two casings, adaptcd to be placed in a fluid whoseproperties are to be measured, said casings being Suspended from axes about which they are independently rotatable, one of said casings, called hereinafter the density casing, inclosing within it the density chambr closed at one end, said casing inclosing a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravity level, said casing containing a scaling liquid and also containing a density fluid in the space adjacent the closed end, said density fluid being con- 95 fined to this space by the scaling liquid, the other of said casings, called hereinafter the compensating casing inclosing within ita chamber closed at one end, said casing being disposed from the closed en'd, first, lon- 100 gitudinally in a direction of decreasing gravity levels and then longitudinally in a direction of increasing gravity levels,` said casing containing a liquid in the'spac'e'adjacent the closed end. said liquid column filling the space bounded by the part of .the casing extending from its closed endito .a surface of said liquid column free to move relative to the casing when the Volume of purpose set forth. v 4

13. In meters, the combination of density and compensatng casings adapted to be placed in a fluid whose properties are to be measured, said casings being Suspended from axes through their Centers of gravity, and about which they are independently rota: table, saidaxes being in line, the density casing inclqsing within it the density chamber, closed at one end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid, said casing inclosing' a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravity level, said casing containing 'a scaling liquid and also containing a density fluid in the` space .adjacent the closed end, said density fluid being confined to this space by thesealing liquid, the com-` pensating casing inclosing within it a chamber closed at one end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid, said casing 130 'said casing inclosing within it filling the space bounded by the part of the casng extending from its closed end to a surface of said liquid column free to move relative to the casing when the volume of said liquid column varies, as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In meters, the combination of density and compensating casings adapted to be placed in a fluid whose properties are to be measured, said casings being Suspended from axes through their centers of gravity, and about which they are rotatable, said density casing being in the form of a tubular ring, saidtubular ring inclosing within it the density chanber closed at one end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid, said casiiig inclosing a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravty level, said casing containing a scaling liquid and also containing a density fluid in the space adjacent the closed end, said density fluid being confined to this space by a more dense scaling liquid, said compensating casing being in the form of a tubularring, achamber closed at one end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid, said casing being disposed from the closed end, first, longitudinally in a direction of decreasing gravity levels and then longitudinally in a direction of increasing gravity levels, said casing containing a liquid in the space adjacent the closed' end, said liquid column varying in length with its temperature and filling the space bounded by the part of the casing eX- tending from its closed end to a surface of said liquid column free to move relative to the casing when the Volume of said liquid colunn varies as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In meters, the combination of density and compensating casings adapted to be placed in a fluid whose properties are to be mcasured, said casings being Suspended from horizontal aXes through their centers of gravity, and about which they are rotatable, said aXes being in line, said density casing being in the form of a tubular ring, said tubular ring inclosing within it the density chamber closed at one end and having an opening. to the surrounding fluid, said casing inclosing a space having an intermediate portion at the lowest gravity level, saidcasin containing a scaling liquid and also contanin a density fluid in the space adjacent the osed end, said density fluid being confined to this space by the scaling liquid, said compensating casing being in the form of a tubular ring, said casing inclosing within it a chamber closed at one end and having an opening to the surrounding fluid, said casing being disposed from the closed end, first, longitudinally in a direction of decreasing gravity levels and then longitudinally in a direction of increasing gravity levels, said casing containing a liquid in the space adjacent the closed end, said liquid column varying in length with its temperature and filling the space bounded by the part of the casing extending from its closed end to a surface of said liquid column free to move relative to the casing when the Volume of said liquid column varies, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have' signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALTER JACOB WOHLENBERG.

Witnesses:

NONA B. Romans, Mrs. E. E. HOLLAND. 

